Display device and touch sensor

ABSTRACT

A display device and a touch sensor, the display device including a first substrate in which a display area and a peripheral area around the display area are defined; an element layer which is located on the first substrate and comprises a first light emitting element located in the display area and a second light emitting element at least partially located in the peripheral area; and a touch sensor which is located on the element layer. The touch sensor includes: a touch electrode portion which is located in the display area and overlaps the first light emitting element; a touch signal line which is located in the peripheral area and is connected to the touch electrode portion; and a light transmission control pattern portion which is located in the peripheral area, overlaps the second light emitting element, and extends along a boundary between the display area and the peripheral area.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from and the benefit of Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2019-0019907, filed on Feb. 20, 2019, which is herebyincorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND Field

Exemplary embodiments of the invention relate generally to a displaydevice and a touch sensor.

Discussion of the Background

Recently, display devices have been diversifying in use. In addition, asdisplay devices become thinner and lighter, their scope of use isbecoming wider.

Touch sensors for recognizing a touch input have recently been widelyapplied to display devices. Due to the convenience of touch inputmethods, touch sensors are replacing conventional physical input devicessuch as keypads.

With the utilization of display devices in various electronic devices,there is a growing demand for a technology that increases the proportionof a display area where an image is provided and reduces the proportionof a peripheral area where relatively no image is provided in designingthe shape of a display device. In addition, the design of displaydevices is diversifying to meet the demands of consumers.

The above information disclosed in this Background section is only forunderstanding of the background of the inventive concepts, and,therefore, it may contain information that does not constitute priorart.

SUMMARY

Devices constructed according to exemplary embodiments of the inventionare capable of providing a display device having an increased proportionof a display area and improved display quality.

Devices constructed according to exemplary embodiments of the inventionare also capable of providing a touch sensor capable of increasing theproportion of a display area and improving the display quality of adisplay device.

Additional features of the inventive concepts will be set forth in thedescription which follows, and in part will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the inventive concepts.

An exemplary embodiment of a display device includes a first substratein which a display area and a peripheral area around the display areaare defined; an element layer which is located on the first substrateand comprises a first light emitting element located in the display areaand a second light emitting element at least partially located in theperipheral area; and a touch sensor which is located on the elementlayer, wherein the touch sensor comprises: a touch electrode portionwhich is located in the display area and overlaps the first lightemitting element; a touch signal line which is located in the peripheralarea and is connected to the touch electrode portion; and a lighttransmission control pattern portion which is located in the peripheralarea, overlaps the second light emitting element, and extends along aboundary between the display area and the peripheral area.

The boundary between the display area and the peripheral area mayinclude a rounded portion, and the second light emitting element mayoverlap the rounded portion of the boundary between the display area andthe peripheral area.

The light transmission control pattern portion and the touch signal linemay be located on the same layer and made of the same material.

The light transmission control pattern portion may include a portionlocated between the touch signal line and the touch electrode portion.

The light transmission control pattern portion may include an opaqueconductive material, and at least one opening may be formed in the lighttransmission control pattern portion, wherein the opening overlaps thesecond light emitting element.

The opening may be formed in a stripe shape extending in a direction.

The opening may be formed in plural numbers in an island shape, and theopenings may be spaced apart from each other.

The touch electrode portion may include first touch electrodes which arearranged along a first direction and electrically connected to eachother along the first direction and second touch electrodes which arearranged along a second direction intersecting the first direction andelectrically connected to each other along the second direction, whereinthe first touch electrodes and the second touch electrodes are locatedon the same layer, and the light transmission control pattern portion islocated on a different layer from the first touch electrodes and thesecond touch electrodes.

The display device may further include an insulating layer which islocated on the light transmission control pattern portion, wherein thefirst touch electrodes and the second touch electrodes are located onthe insulating layer.

The display device may also include a first connection portion whichconnects two first touch electrodes neighboring each other along thefirst direction and a second connection portion which connects twosecond touch electrodes neighboring each other along the seconddirection, wherein any one of the first connection portion and thesecond connection portion is located on the same layer as the firsttouch electrodes and the second touch electrodes, and the other one ofthe first connection portion and the second connection portion islocated on the same layer as the light transmission control patternportion.

A second substrate may be located on the element layer, and a sealantmay be located between the first substrate and the second substrate,disposed in the peripheral area, and bond the first substrate and thesecond substrate together, wherein the touch sensor is located on thesecond substrate.

A thin-film encapsulation layer may be located on the element layer,wherein the touch sensor is located on the thin-film encapsulationlayer.

The first substrate may include a notched edge which defines a notchportion, and the element layer may also include a third light emittingelement which is located in the peripheral area and between the notchportion and the display area, wherein the third light emitting elementoverlaps the light transmission control pattern portion.

The notched edge of the first substrate may include a rounded portion.

The notched edge of the first substrate comprises a portion having atleast any one of an omega (Ω) shape, a U shape, a V shape, asemicircular shape, and a semielliptical shape.

An exemplary embodiment of a display device includes a first substratewhich comprises a through hole and in which a hole peripheral areaaround the through hole, a display area surrounding the hole peripheralarea and a peripheral area around the display area are defined; anelement layer which is located on the first substrate and comprises alight emitting element located in the hole peripheral area; and a touchsensor which is located on the element layer, wherein the touch sensorcomprises a touch electrode portion and a hole light transmissioncontrol pattern portion which is spaced apart from the touch electrodeportion, is located in the hole peripheral area and overlaps the lightemitting element.

The touch electrode portion may include two first touch electrodes whichare spaced apart from each other along a first direction with thethrough hole interposed between the two first touch electrodes, twosecond touch electrodes which are spaced apart from each other along asecond direction intersecting the first direction with the through holeinterposed between the two second touch electrodes, a first connectionportion which connects the two first touch electrodes, and a secondconnection portion which connects the two second touch electrodes,wherein the first touch electrodes and the second touch electrodes arelocated on the same layer, and the hole light transmission controlpattern portion is located on a different layer from the first touchelectrodes and the second touch electrodes.

The first connection portion and the second connection portion may belocated in the hole peripheral area.

The first connection portion and the hole light transmission controlpattern portion may be located on the same layer, and the secondconnection portion may be located on the same layer as the first touchelectrodes and the second touch electrodes.

The hole light transmission control pattern portion includes an opaqueconductive material, and at least one opening is formed in the holelight transmission control pattern portion, wherein the opening overlapsthe light emitting element.

The display device may further include a second substrate which islocated on the element layer; a sealant which is located between thefirst substrate and the second substrate, is located in the peripheralarea, and bonds the first substrate and the second substrate together;and a hole sealant which is located between the first substrate and thesecond substrate, is located in the hole peripheral area, and bonds thefirst substrate and the second substrate together, wherein the touchsensor is located on the second substrate.

An exemplary embodiment of a touch sensor in which a sensing area and anon-sensing area are defined, includes a touch electrode portion whichis located in the sensing area; a touch signal line which is located inthe non-sensing area and connected to the touch electrode portion; and alight transmission control pattern portion which is located in thenon-sensing area, extends along a rounded boundary between the sensingarea and the non-sensing area, and is spaced apart from the touch signalline, wherein an opening is formed in the light transmission controlpattern portion.

The touch electrode portion may include a plurality of touch electrodes,the light transmission control pattern portion may be located on thesame layer as the touch signal line, and the light transmission controlpattern portion may be located on a different layer from the touchelectrodes.

A hole non-sensing area surrounding a through hole passing through thetouch sensor may be further defined in the touch sensor, the sensingarea completely surrounding the hole non-sensing area, and furtherinclude a hole light transmission control pattern portion which islocated in the hole non-sensing area and extends along a roundedboundary between the sensing area and the hole non-sensing area.

The touch electrode portion may include two first touch electrodes whichare spaced apart from each other along a first direction with thethrough hole interposed between the two first touch electrodes, twosecond touch electrodes which are spaced apart from each other along asecond direction intersecting the first direction with the through holeinterposed between the two second touch electrodes, a first connectionportion which connects the two first touch electrodes, and a secondconnection portion which connects the two second touch electrodes,wherein the first connection portion and the second connection portionare located in the hole non-sensing area and located relatively closerto the through hole than the hole light transmission control patternportion.

The light transmission control pattern portion and the hole lighttransmission control pattern portion may be located on a different layerfrom the first touch electrodes and the second touch electrodes, any oneof the first connection portion and the second connection portion may belocated on the same layer as the first touch electrodes and the secondtouch electrodes, and the other one of the first connection portion andthe second connection portion may be located on the same layer as thelight transmission control pattern portion and the hole lighttransmission control pattern portion.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and areintended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of theinvention, and together with the description serve to explain theinventive concepts.

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a display device according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the display deviceaccording to the exemplary embodiment, taken along line X1-X1′ of FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the display deviceaccording to the exemplary embodiment, taken along line X3-X3′ of FIG.1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a touch sensor shown inFIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to amodification of the exemplary embodiment, taken along line X1-X1′ ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the display deviceaccording to the modification of the exemplary embodiment, taken alongline X3-X3′ of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an upper insulating layershown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view of a display panel included in thedisplay device according to the exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the shape of an edge of a first substratearound a notch portion shown in FIG. 8.

FIGS. 10, 11, 12, and 13 are plan views of modified examples of FIG. 9.

FIG. 14 is an equivalent circuit diagram of a pixel shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the pixel shown in FIG.14.

FIG. 16 is a schematic plan view of the touch sensor included in thedisplay device according to the exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged plan view of a portion Q1 of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the touch sensor takenalong line X5-X5′ of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the touch sensor takenalong line X7-X7′ of FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the touch sensor takenalong line X9-X9′ of FIG. 17.

FIG. 21 is an enlarged plan view of a portion Q3 of FIG. 16, alsoshowing light emitting areas of the display panel.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the display device according to theexemplary embodiment, taken along line X11-X11′ of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the display device according to theexemplary embodiment, taken along line X13-X13′ of FIG. 21.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of the display device according to theexemplary embodiment, taken along line X15-X15′ of FIG. 21.

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the display device according to theexemplary embodiment, taken along line X17-X17′ of FIG. 21.

FIGS. 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, and 32 are plan views of modified examplesof FIG. 21.

FIG. 33 is an enlarged plan view of a portion Q5 of FIG. 16.

FIG. 34 is an enlarged plan view of a portion Q7 of FIG. 33, alsoshowing a light emitting area of the display panel.

FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view of the display device according to theexemplary embodiment, taken along line X19-X19′ of FIG. 34.

FIG. 36 is a schematic plan view of a display device according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 37 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the display deviceaccording to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 36, taken along lineY1-Y1′ of FIG. 36.

FIG. 38 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the display deviceaccording to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 36, taken along lineY3-Y3′ of FIG. 36.

FIG. 39 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display deviceaccording to a modification of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 36,taken along line Y1-Y1′ of FIG. 36.

FIG. 40 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the display deviceaccording to the modification of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 36,taken along line Y3-Y3′ of FIG. 36.

FIG. 41 is a schematic plan view of a display panel included in thedisplay device according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 36.

FIG. 42 is a schematic plan view of a touch sensor included in thedisplay device according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 36.

FIG. 43 is an enlarged plan view of a portion R1 of FIG. 42.

FIG. 44 is a cross-sectional view of the touch sensor taken along lineY5-Y5′ of FIG. 43.

FIG. 45 is a cross-sectional view of the touch sensor taken along lineY7-Y7′ of FIG. 43.

FIG. 46 is an enlarged plan view of a portion R3 of FIG. 43, alsoshowing a light emitting area of the display panel.

FIG. 47 is a cross-sectional view of the display device according to theexemplary embodiment of FIG. 36, taken along line Y9-Y9′ of FIG. 46.

FIGS. 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, and 54 are plan views of modified examplesof FIG. 46.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of various exemplary embodiments or implementations of theinvention. As used herein “embodiments” and “implementations” areinterchangeable words that are non-limiting examples of devices ormethods employing one or more of the inventive concepts disclosedherein. It is apparent, however, that various exemplary embodiments maybe practiced without these specific details or with one or moreequivalent arrangements. In other instances, well-known structures anddevices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarilyobscuring various exemplary embodiments. Further, various exemplaryembodiments may be different, but do not have to be exclusive. Forexample, specific shapes, configurations, and characteristics of anexemplary embodiment may be used or implemented in another exemplaryembodiment without departing from the inventive concepts.

Unless otherwise specified, the illustrated exemplary embodiments are tobe understood as providing exemplary features of varying detail of someways in which the inventive concepts may be implemented in practice.Therefore, unless otherwise specified, the features, components,modules, layers, films, panels, regions, and/or aspects, etc.(hereinafter individually or collectively referred to as “elements”), ofthe various embodiments may be otherwise combined, separated,interchanged, and/or rearranged without departing from the inventiveconcepts.

The use of cross-hatching and/or shading in the accompanying drawings isgenerally provided to clarify boundaries between adjacent elements. Assuch, neither the presence nor the absence of cross-hatching or shadingconveys or indicates any preference or requirement for particularmaterials, material properties, dimensions, proportions, commonalitiesbetween illustrated elements, and/or any other characteristic,attribute, property, etc., of the elements, unless specified. Further,in the accompanying drawings, the size and relative sizes of elementsmay be exaggerated for clarity and/or descriptive purposes. When anexemplary embodiment may be implemented differently, a specific processorder may be performed differently from the described order. Forexample, two consecutively described processes may be performedsubstantially at the same time or performed in an order opposite to thedescribed order. Also, like reference numerals denote like elements.

When an element, such as a layer, is referred to as being “on,”“connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may bedirectly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer orintervening elements or layers may be present. When, however, an elementor layer is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,”or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are nointervening elements or layers present. To this end, the term“connected” may refer to physical, electrical, and/or fluid connection,with or without intervening elements. For the purposes of thisdisclosure, “at least one of X, Y, and Z” and “at least one selectedfrom the group consisting of X, Y, and Z” may be construed as X only, Yonly, Z only, or any combination of two or more of X, Y, and Z, such as,for instance, XYZ, XYY, YZ, and ZZ. As used herein, the term “and/or”includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associatedlisted items.

Although the terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used herein todescribe various types of elements, these elements should not be limitedby these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element fromanother element. Thus, a first element discussed below could be termed asecond element without departing from the teachings of the disclosure.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “under,” “lower,”“above,” “upper,” “over,” “higher,” “side” (e.g., as in “sidewall”), andthe like, may be used herein for descriptive purposes, and, thereby, todescribe one elements relationship to another element(s) as illustratedin the drawings. Spatially relative terms are intended to encompassdifferent orientations of an apparatus in use, operation, and/ormanufacture in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawings. Forexample, if the apparatus in the drawings is turned over, elementsdescribed as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would thenbe oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplaryterm “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below.Furthermore, the apparatus may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90degrees or at other orientations), and, as such, the spatially relativedescriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, thesingular forms, “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Moreover,the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including,”when used in this specification, specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/orgroups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one ormore other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components,and/or groups thereof. It is also noted that, as used herein, the terms“substantially,” “about,” and other similar terms, are used as terms ofapproximation and not as terms of degree, and, as such, are utilized toaccount for inherent deviations in measured, calculated, and/or providedvalues that would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Various exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference tosectional and/or exploded illustrations that are schematic illustrationsof idealized exemplary embodiments and/or intermediate structures. Assuch, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, forexample, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to beexpected. Thus, exemplary embodiments disclosed herein should notnecessarily be construed as limited to the particular illustrated shapesof regions, but are to include deviations in shapes that result from,for instance, manufacturing. In this manner, regions illustrated in thedrawings may be schematic in nature and the shapes of these regions maynot reflect actual shapes of regions of a device and, as such, are notnecessarily intended to be limiting.

As is customary in the field, some exemplary embodiments are describedand illustrated in the accompanying drawings in terms of functionalblocks, units, and/or modules. Those skilled in the art will appreciatethat these blocks, units, and/or modules are physically implemented byelectronic (or optical) circuits, such as logic circuits, discretecomponents, microprocessors, hard-wired circuits, memory elements,wiring connections, and the like, which may be formed usingsemiconductor-based fabrication techniques or other manufacturingtechnologies. In the case of the blocks, units, and/or modules beingimplemented by microprocessors or other similar hardware, they may beprogrammed and controlled using software (e.g., microcode) to performvarious functions discussed herein and may optionally be driven byfirmware and/or software. It is also contemplated that each block, unit,and/or module may be implemented by dedicated hardware, or as acombination of dedicated hardware to perform some functions and aprocessor (e.g., one or more programmed microprocessors and associatedcircuitry) to perform other functions. Also, each block, unit, and/ormodule of some exemplary embodiments may be physically separated intotwo or more interacting and discrete blocks, units, and/or moduleswithout departing from the scope of the inventive concepts. Further, theblocks, units, and/or modules of some exemplary embodiments may bephysically combined into more complex blocks, units, and/or moduleswithout departing from the scope of the inventive concepts.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure is a part. Terms,such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should beinterpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning inthe context of the relevant art and should not be interpreted in anidealized or overly formal sense, unless expressly so defined herein.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be describedwith reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a display device 1 according to anexemplary embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of thedisplay device 1 according to the exemplary embodiment, taken along lineX1-X1′ of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of thedisplay device 1 according to the exemplary embodiment, taken along lineX3-X3′ of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a touchsensor TSL shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, the display device 1 according to thecurrent exemplary embodiment may include two short sides extending in afirst direction x and two long sides extending in a second direction yintersecting the first direction x. Each corner, where a long side and ashort side of the display device 1 meet, may be curved. The planar shapeof the display device 1 is not limited to this shape and may also be acircular shape or other shapes.

In FIG. 1, a portable terminal is shown as an example to which thedisplay device 1 according to the exemplary embodiment may be applied.Examples of the portable terminal may include a tablet PC, a smartphone,a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP),a game machine, and a wristwatch-type electronic device. However, theinventive concepts are not limited to the specific type of the displaydevice 1. In other exemplary embodiments, the display device 1 may beused in large-sized electronic devices such as televisions or externalbillboards and small and medium-sized electronic devices such as PCs,notebook computers, car navigation devices, smart watches and cameras.

As for the planar structure of the display device 1, the display device1 includes a display area D-DA in which an image is displayed and aperipheral area D-NDA adjacent to the display area D-DA. The displayarea D-DA may be an area in which an image is displayed, and theperipheral area D-NDA may be an area in most of which no image isdisplayed. In some embodiments, an image may be displayed in a part ofthe peripheral area D-NDA which is adjacent to the display area D-DA.

In some exemplary embodiments, the display area D-DA may besubstantially quadrilateral. In some exemplary embodiments, each cornerof the display area D-DA may be curved or rounded in plan view as shownin FIG. 1.

The peripheral area D-NDA may surround the display area D-DA. However,the inventive concepts are not limited to this case, and the shape ofthe display area D-DA and the shape of the peripheral area D-NDA can bedesigned relatively.

The display device 1 may include a notch portion NT having one openside. In some exemplary embodiments, the notch portion NT may be locatedon a short side of the display device 1. The notch portion NT may beformed by recessing one short side of the display device 1 in adirection toward a center of the display area D-DA.

In some exemplary embodiments, an electronic element EMD may be disposedin the notch portion NT of the display device 1. In some exemplaryembodiments, the electronic element EMD may be a camera element, aspeaker element, a photo-sensing element, a heat sensing element, amicrophone element, or the like.

In some exemplary embodiments, the notch portion NT may be surrounded bythe peripheral area D-NDA, and the display area D-DA may be surroundedby the peripheral area D-NDA. That is, the peripheral area D-NDA may belocated between the notch portion NT and the display area D-DA.

An edge of the display device 1 which defines the notch potion NT mayinclude rounded portions in plan view. In some exemplary embodiments,the notch portion NT may have an omega (Ω) shape as shown in FIG. 1. Theshape of the notch portion NT can be changed to various shapes such as asubstantially U shape, a substantially V shape, a substantiallysemicircular shape and a substantially semielliptical shape as long asthe edge includes the rounded portions.

As for the stacked structure of the display device 1, the display device1 may include a display panel DP and the touch sensor TSL located on thedisplay panel DP.

In some exemplary embodiments, the display panel DP may be a displaypanel including a self-light emitting element. In an exemplaryembodiment, the self-light emitting element may include at least one ofan organic light emitting diode, a quantum dot light emitting diode, aninorganic-based micro light emitting diode (e.g., a micro light emittingdiode), and an inorganic-based nano light emitting diode (e.g., a nanolight emitting diode). For ease of description, the self-light emittingelement will be described below as an organic light emitting diode.

In its stacked structure, the display panel DP includes a firstsubstrate 110, a second substrate 210 located on the first substrate110, and an element layer DSL located between the first substrate 110and the second substrate 210. In addition, the display panel DP mayfurther include a sealant S which is located between the first substrate110 and the second substrate 210, is located on edges of the firstsubstrate 110 and the second substrate 210, and bonds the firstsubstrate 110 and the second substrate 210 together.

The first substrate 110 is a substrate which supports the element layerDSL. In some exemplary embodiments, the first substrate 110 may be aninsulating substrate made of glass, quartz, ceramic, or plastic.

The element layer DSL is located on the first substrate 110. In someexemplary embodiments, the element layer DSL may include a plurality ofpixels and a plurality of display signal lines located on the firstsubstrate 110. Each of the pixels may include a thin-film transistor(TFT), a capacitor, and a light emitting element which will be describedlater. The signal lines may include scan lines which transmit scansignals to the pixels and data lines which transmit data signals to thepixels, respectively.

In some exemplary embodiments, the pixels included in the element layerDSL may be located in the display area D-DA, and some of the pixels maybe further located in the peripheral area D-NDA.

The element layer DSL may further include elements and wirings locatedon the first substrate 110 and in the peripheral area D-NDA. Theelements and the wirings may generate various signals transmitted to thepixels or may transmit the signals to the pixels.

The second substrate 210 may be an encapsulation substrate whichprevents or reduces moisture and oxygen from penetrating into theelement layer DSL from the outside. The second substrate 210 may be madeof a polymer film such as glass or plastic.

The sealant S may be located between the first substrate 110 and thesecond substrate 210. The sealant may be located in the peripheral areaD-NDA and completely surround the display area D-DA in plan view. Thesealant S may bond the first substrate 110 and the second substrate 210together and prevent or reduce impurities such as moisture and oxygenfrom penetrating between the first substrate 110 and the secondsubstrate 210 from the outside. In some exemplary embodiments, thesealant S may be formed by placing a sealing material such as glass fritbetween the first substrate 110 and the second substrate 210 and meltingthe sealing material by irradiating a laser beam.

Since the sealant S is located between the first substrate 110 and thesecond substrate 210, even if the notch portion NT is formed in thedisplay device 1, impurities such as moisture and oxygen can beprevented from penetrating between the first substrate 110 and thesecond substrate 210 around the notch portion NT.

The touch sensor TSL may be located on the display panel DP. In someexemplary embodiments, the touch sensor TSL may obtain coordinates of atouch input point using a capacitance method. In the capacitance method,coordinate information of a touched point may be obtained using aself-capacitance method or a mutual capacitance method. For ease ofdescription, a case where the touch sensor TSL is formed in a mutualcapacitance structure will be described below, but the inventiveconcepts are not limited to this case.

In some exemplary embodiments, the touch sensor TSL may be located onthe second substrate 210 of the display panel DP.

In some exemplary embodiments, a portion of the touch sensor TSL whichis located in the display area D-DA may include a touch electrode (notshown), and a portion of the touch sensor TSL which is located in theperipheral area D-NDA may include a touch signal line (not shown) whichtransmits and/or receives a signal to/from the touch electrode, a touchpad unit (not shown) which is connected to the touch signal line, and alight transmission control pattern portion (not shown).

In some exemplary embodiments, a bonding layer (e.g., an adhesive layer)may not be located between the touch sensor TSL and the second substrate210. For example, at least any one of the touch electrode, the touchsignal line, the touch pad unit and the light transmission controlpattern portion of the touch sensor TSL may be located directly on thesecond substrate 210. Alternatively, when an insulating film is locatedbetween the touch sensor TSL and the second substrate 210, at least anyone of the touch electrode, the touch signal line, the touch pad unitand the light transmission control pattern portion of the touch sensorTSL may be located directly on the insulating film.

As for the stacked structure of the touch sensor TSL, in some exemplaryembodiments, the touch sensor TSL may include a first conductive layerML1, an insulating layer IL, and a second conductive layer ML2 as shownin FIG. 4.

The first conductive layer ML1 may include an opaque conductivematerial. In some exemplary embodiments, the first conductive layer ML1may include a metal such as gold (Au), silver, (Ag), aluminum (Al),molybdenum (Mo), chromium (Cr), titanium (Ti), nickel (Ni), neodymium(Nd), copper (Cu), platinum (Pt), or an alloy of the same. In someexemplary embodiments, the first conductive layer ML1 may have asingle-layer structure or a multilayer structure. For example, the firstconductive layer ML1 may have a three-layer structure oftitanium/aluminum/titanium.

Since the first conductive layer ML1 includes an opaque conductivematerial, it may function as a light shielding layer which blockstransmission of light.

The insulating layer IL may be located on the first conductive layerML1. The insulating layer IL may be disposed between the firstconductive layer ML1 and the second conductive layer ML2. In someexemplary embodiments, the insulating layer IL may include an insulatingmaterial. In some exemplary embodiments, the insulating material may bean inorganic insulating material or an organic insulating material. Theinorganic insulating material may include at least one of aluminumoxide, titanium oxide, silicon oxide, silicon oxynitride, zirconiumoxide, and hafnium oxide. The organic insulating material may include atleast any one of acrylic resin, methacrylic resin, polyisoprene, vinylresin, epoxy resin, urethane resin, cellulose resin, siloxane resin,polyimide resin, polyamide resin, and perylene resin.

The second conductive layer ML2 may be located on the insulting layerIL. In some exemplary embodiments, the second conductive layer ML2 mayinclude a conductive material having light transmitting properties.Examples of the conductive material having light transmitting propertiesmay include silver nanowires (AgNWs), indium tin oxide (ITO), indiumzinc oxide (IZO), antimony zinc oxide (AZO), indium tin zinc oxide(ITZO), zinc oxide (ZnO), tin oxide (SnO₂), carbon nanotubes, graphene,and conductive polymers PEDOT). Alternatively, the second conductivelayer ML2 may include a conductive material such as a metal or an alloyof metals as long as light can be transmitted through the secondconductive layer ML2. Examples of the metal may include gold (Au),silver, (Ag), aluminum (Al), molybdenum (Mo), chromium (Cr), titanium(Ti), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), copper (Cu), and platinum (Pt). Insome exemplary embodiments, when the second conductive layer ML2 is madeof a metal or an alloy of metals, the second conductive layer ML2 mayhave a mesh structure in order not to be visible to a user.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a display device 1-1 according to amodified example of the embodiment, taken along line X1-X1′ of FIG. 1.FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the display device 1-1according to the modified example of the embodiment, taken along lineX3-X3′ of FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an upperinsulating layer TFL shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

Referring to FIGS. 5 through 7, the display device 1-1 according to themodified example may include a display panel DPa and a touch sensor TSL.The display panel DPa may include a first substrate 110, an elementlayer DSL located on the first substrate 110, and the upper insulatinglayer TFL located on the element layer DSL.

The first substrate 110, the element layer DSL and the touch sensor TSLare substantially the same or similar to those described above withreference to FIGS. 1 through 4, and thus a description thereof isomitted.

The upper insulating layer TFL may be located on the element layer DSL.The upper insulating layer TFL may protect the element layer DSL.

The upper insulating layer TFL may include a thin-film encapsulationlayer TFE and may further include a capping layer CPL.

The upper insulating layer TFL may include a plurality of thin films. Asin the current exemplary embodiment, the upper insulating layer TFL mayinclude the capping layer CPL and the thin-film encapsulation layer TFE.The thin-film encapsulation layer TFE may include a first inorganiclayer IOL1, an organic layer OL, and a second inorganic layer IOL2.

The capping layer CPL may be located on the element layer DSL and, insome exemplary embodiments, may be disposed on a cathode of the elementlayer DSL. In some exemplary embodiments, the capping layer CPL maycontact the cathode. The capping layer CPL may include an organicmaterial.

The thin-film encapsulation layer TFE may include the first inorganiclayer IOL1, the organic layer OL, and the second inorganic layer IOL2.

The first inorganic layer IOL1 is disposed on the capping layer CPL andcontacts the capping layer CPL. The organic layer OL is disposed on thefirst inorganic layer IOL1 and contacts the first inorganic layer IOL1.The second inorganic layer IOL2 is disposed on the organic layer OL andcontacts the organic layer OL.

The capping layer CPL protects the cathode from a subsequent processsuch as a sputtering process and improves light output efficiency oflight emitting elements. The capping layer CPL may have a refractiveindex greater than that of the first inorganic layer IOL1.

The first inorganic layer IOL1 and the second inorganic layer IOL2protect the element layer DSL from moisture/oxygen, and the organiclayer OL protects the element layer DSL from foreign matter such as dustparticles. Each of the first inorganic layer IOL1 and the secondinorganic layer IOL2 may be any one of a silicon nitride layer, asilicon oxynitride layer, and a silicon oxide layer. In an exemplaryembodiment, each of the first inorganic layer IOL1 and the secondinorganic layer IOL2 may include a titanium oxide layer or an aluminumoxide layer. The organic layer OL may include, but is not limited to, anacrylic-based organic layer.

In an exemplary embodiment, an inorganic layer such as a lithiumfluoride (LiF) layer may be further disposed between the capping layerCPL and the first inorganic layer IOL1. The LiF layer may improve thelight output efficiency of the light emitting elements.

The touch sensor TSL may be located on the upper insulating layer TFL.In some exemplary embodiments, the touch sensor TSL may be located onthe thin-film encapsulation layer TFE, and a bonding layer (e.g., anadhesive layer) may not be located between the thin-film encapsulationlayer TFE and the touch sensor TSL. For example, at least any one of atouch electrode, a touch signal line, a touch pad unit and a lighttransmission control pattern portion of the touch sensor TSL may belocated directly on the thin-film encapsulation layer TFE.Alternatively, when an insulating film is located between the touchsensor TSL and the thin-film encapsulation layer TFE, at least any oneof the touch electrode, the touch signal line, the touch pad unit andthe light transmission control pattern portion of the touch sensor TSLmay be located directly on the insulating film.

In some exemplary embodiments, side surfaces of the element layer DSLaround a notch portion NT may be covered by the upper insulating layerTFL. Accordingly, impurities such as moisture and oxygen can beprevented from penetrating into the element layer DSL around the notchportion NT.

A case where a display device has the structure of FIGS. 1 through 4,for example, a case where the display device 1 includes the secondsubstrate 210 will now be described as an example.

FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view of the display panel DP included in thedisplay device 1 according to the exemplary embodiment. FIG. 9 is a planview showing the shape of an edge es1 of the first substrate 110 aroundthe notch portion NT shown in FIG. 8. FIGS. 10 through 13 are plan viewsof modified examples of FIG. 9. FIG. 14 is an equivalent circuit diagramof a pixel PX shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectionalview of the pixel PX shown in FIG. 14.

Referring to FIGS. 8 through 15, a display area DA and a peripheral areaNDA corresponding to the display area D-DA and the peripheral area D-NDAof the display device 1 shown in FIG. 1 may be defined in the displaypanel DP or the first substrate 110. In the current exemplaryembodiment, when two regions correspond to each other, it means that thetwo regions overlap each other and have the same area.

The edge es1 of the first substrate 110 may include rounded portionsesr1 at corners. In addition, the edge es1 of the first substrate 110may include a notched edge en1 located around the notch portion NT anddefining the notch portion NT. In the edge es1 of the first substrate110, the notched edge en1 defining the notch portion NT may include arounded portion or a curved portion in plan view.

In some exemplary embodiments, the notched edge en1 defining the notchportion NT in the edge es1 of the first substrate 110 may have an omega(S2) shape as shown in FIG. 9. Alternatively, the notched edge en1defining the notch portion NT in the edge es1 of the first substrate 110may have a substantially U shape as shown in FIG. 10 or a substantiallyV shape as shown in FIG. 11. Alternatively, the notched edge en1defining the notch portion NT in the edge es1 of the first substrate 110may have a substantially semielliptical shape as shown in FIG. 12 or asubstantially semicircular shape as shown in FIG. 13.

A boundary eb1 between the display area DA and the peripheral area NDAof the display panel DP may include rounded portions eb1 a. In addition,the boundary eb1 between the display area DA and the peripheral area NDAof the display panel DP may further include a portion eb1 b locatedaround the notch portion NT. Of the boundary eb1 between the displayarea DA and the peripheral area NDA, the portion eb1 b located aroundthe notch portion NT may extend along the notched edge en1 defining thenotch portion NT in the edge es1 of the first substrate 110.

Referring again to FIG. 8, a plurality of signal lines SGL and aplurality of pixels PX may be located on the first substrate 110 in thedisplay area DA. Signal pads DPD may be located on the first substrate110 in the peripheral area NDA, and some of the pixels PX may be locatedin the peripheral area NDA. In addition, the sealant S may be located onthe first substrate 110 in the peripheral area NDA to completelysurround the display area DA.

The signal lines SGL, the pixels PX and the signal pads DPD may beincluded in the element layer DSL.

The signal lines SGL may include scan lines GL, data lines DL and apower supply line PL.

The scan lines GL are connected to corresponding ones of the pixels PXand transmit scan signals to the pixels PX, respectively.

The data lines DL are connected to corresponding ones of the pixels PXand transmit data signals to the pixels PX, respectively.

The power supply line PL is connected to the pixels PX and transmits adriving voltage to the pixels PX.

The signal pads DPD are disposed in the peripheral area NDA and may beconnected to the signal lines SGL, for example, the data lines DL,respectively. The signal pads DPD may receive data signals from anexternal source.

In some exemplary embodiments, the scan lines GL may extend along thefirst direction x, and the data lines DL may extend along the seconddirection y. In some exemplary embodiments, the power supply line PL mayextend along the second direction y in which the data lines DL extend.

In FIG. 14, any one scan line GL, any one data line DL, the power supplyline PL, and a pixel PX connected to these lines are shown. Theconfiguration of the pixel PX is not limited to that of FIG. 14 and canbe modified.

A light emitting element ELD may be a top emission diode or a bottomemission diode. The pixel PX includes a first transistor T1 (or aswitching transistor), a second transistor T2 (or a driving transistor),and a capacitor Cst as a pixel driving circuit for driving the lightemitting element ELD. A first power supply voltage ELVDD is provided tothe second transistor T2, and a second power supply voltage ELVSS isprovided to the light emitting element ELD. The second power supplyvoltage ELVSS may be lower than the first power supply voltage ELVDD.

The first transistor T1 outputs a data signal transmitted to the dataline DL in response to a scan signal transmitted to the scan line GL.The capacitor Cst is charged with a voltage corresponding to the datasignal received from the first transistor T1. The second transistor T2is connected to an organic light emitting diode OLED. The secondtransistor T2 controls a driving current flowing through the lightemitting element ELD according to the amount of charge stored in thecapacitor Cst.

The equivalent circuit is merely one exemplary embodiment and is notlimited to this embodiment. Alternatively, the pixel PX may furtherinclude a plurality of transistors and may include more capacitors. Thelight emitting element ELD may also be connected between the powersupply line PL and the second transistor T2.

In some exemplary embodiments, the light emitting element ELD may be anorganic light emitting diode as described above. Alternatively, thelight emitting element may be any one of a quantum dot light emittingdiode, an inorganic-based micro light emitting diode, and aninorganic-based nano light emitting diode.

FIG. 15 shows a cross section of a portion of the display panel DP whichcorresponds to the equivalent circuit of FIG. 14, together with thesecond substrate 210 and the touch sensor TSL.

A buffer layer BFL may be disposed on the first substrate 110.

A semiconductor pattern OSP1 (hereinafter, referred to as a firstsemiconductor pattern) of the first transistor T1 and a semiconductorpattern OSP2 (hereinafter, referred to as a second semiconductorpattern) of the second transistor T2 may be disposed on the buffer layerBFL. Each of the first semiconductor pattern OSP1 and the secondsemiconductor pattern OSP2 may be selected from amorphous silicon,polysilicon, and a metal oxide semiconductor. In some exemplaryembodiments, any one of the first semiconductor pattern OSP1 and thesecond semiconductor pattern OSP2 may be made of polysilicon, and theother one of the first semiconductor pattern OSP1 and the secondsemiconductor pattern OSP2 may be made of a metal oxide semiconductor.

A first intermediate inorganic layer 111 is disposed on the firstsemiconductor pattern OSP1 and the second semiconductor pattern OSP2. Acontrol electrode GE1 (hereinafter, referred to as a first controlelectrode) of the first transistor T1 and a control electrode GE2(hereinafter, a second control electrode) of the second transistor T2are disposed on the first intermediate inorganic layer 111. When thefirst control electrode GE1 and the second control electrode GE2 arelocated on the same layer, they may be manufactured by the samephotolithography process as the scan lines GL (see FIG. 4). However, theinventive concepts are not limited to this case, and the first controlelectrode GE1 and the second control electrode GE2 may also be locatedon different layers. In this case, any one of the first controlelectrode GE1 and the second control electrode GE2 may be manufacturedby the same photolithography process as the scan lines GL (see FIG. 4).

A second intermediate inorganic layer 112 covering the first controlelectrode GE1 and the second control electrode GE2 is disposed on thefirst intermediate inorganic layer 111. An input electrode DE1(hereinafter, referred to as a first input electrode) and an outputelectrode SE1 (hereinafter, referred to as a first output electrode) ofthe first transistor T1 and an input electrode DE2 (hereinafter,referred to as a second input electrode) and an output electrode SE2(hereinafter, referred to as a second output electrode) of the secondtransistor T2 are disposed on the second intermediate inorganic layer112.

The first input electrode DE1 and the first output electrode SE1 areconnected to the first semiconductor pattern OSP1 respectively through afirst through hole CH1 and a second through hole CH2 passing through thefirst intermediate inorganic layer 111 and the second intermediateinorganic layer 112. The second input electrode DE2 and the secondoutput electrode SE2 are connected to the second semiconductor patternOSP2 respectively through a third through hole CH3 and a fourth throughhole CH4 passing through the first intermediate inorganic layer 111 andthe second intermediate inorganic layer 112. In an exemplary embodiment,one of the first transistor T1 and the second transistor T2 may bemodified to a bottom gate structure.

An intermediate organic layer 113 covering the first input electrodeDE1, the second input electrode DE2, the first output electrode SE1 andthe second output electrode SE2 is disposed on the second intermediateinorganic layer 112. The intermediate organic layer 113 may provide aflat surface.

A pixel defining layer PDL and the light emitting element ELD may belocated on the intermediate organic layer 113. The pixel defining layerPDL may include an organic material. An anode AE is disposed on theintermediate organic layer 113. The anode AE is connected to the secondoutput electrode SE2 through a fifth through hole CH5 passing throughthe intermediate organic layer 113. An opening OPN is defined in thepixel defining layer PDL. The opening OPN of the pixel defining layerPDL exposes at least a portion of the anode AE. In an exemplaryembodiment, the pixel defining layer PDL may be omitted.

The pixel PX may be disposed in the display area DA. The display area DAmay include a light emitting area PXA and a non-light emitting area NPXAadjacent to the light emitting area PXA. The non-light emitting areaNPXA may surround the light emitting area PXA. In the current exemplaryembodiment, the light emitting area PXA is defined to correspond to aportion of the anode AE exposed by the opening OPN.

In an exemplary embodiment, the light emitting area PXA may overlap atleast one of the first and second transistors T1 and T2. The opening OPNmay become wider, and the anode AE and a light emitting layer EML to bedescribed later may also become wider.

A hole control layer HCL may be disposed commonly to the light emittingarea PXA and the non-light emitting area NPXA. Although not specificallyshown, a common layer such as the hole control layer HCL may be formedcommonly to the pixels PX (see FIG. 8).

The light emitting layer EML is disposed on the hole control layer HCL.The light emitting layer EML may generate light of a predeterminedcolor. The light emitting layer EML may be disposed in an areacorresponding to the opening OPN. That is, the light emitting layer EMLmay be formed separately in each pixel PX.

When the light emitting element ELD is an organic light emitting diode,the light emitting layer EML may include an organic material. That is,in some exemplary embodiments, the light emitting layer EML may be anorganic light emitting layer.

When the light emitting element ELD is a quantum dot light emittingdiode, the light emitting layer EML may include a quantum dot material.That is, the light emitting layer EML may be a quantum dot lightemitting layer.

A core of a quantum dot may be selected from a group II-VI compound, agroup III-V compound, a group IV-VI compound, a group IV element, agroup IV compound, and combinations of the same. The quantum dot mayhave a full width of half maximum (FWHM) of an emission wavelengthspectrum of about 45 run or less, preferably about 40 nm or less, ormore preferably about 30 nm or less. In this range, color purity orcolor reproducibility can be improved. In addition, since light emittedthrough the quantum dot is radiated in various directions, a wideviewing angle can be improved.

In addition, the quantum dot may be in a form generally used in the artto which the present disclosure pertains and is not limited to aparticular form. More specifically, the quantum dot may be in the formof a spherical, pyramidal, multi-arm or cubic nanoparticle, nanotube,nanowire, nanofiber or plate-like nanoparticle.

The quantum dot may control the color of emitted light according to theparticle size. Therefore, the quantum dot can have various emissioncolors such as blue, red, and green.

In the current exemplary embodiment, the patterned light emitting layerEMI, is shown as an example. However, the light emitting layer EML mayalso be disposed commonly to the pixels PX, Here, the light emittinglayer EMI: may generate white light. In addition, the light emittinglayer EMI, may have a multilayer structure called a tandem.

An electron control layer ECL is disposed on the light emitting layerEML. Although not specifically shown, the electron control layer ECL maybe formed commonly to the pixels PX.

A cathode CE is disposed on the electron control layer ECL. The cathodeCE is disposed commonly to the pixels PX.

The second substrate 210 may be located on the cathode CE, and thecathode CE and the second substrate 210 may be spaced apart from eachother. The touch sensor TSL described above may be located on the secondsubstrate 210.

The anode AE, the hole control layer HCL, the light emitting layer EML,the electron control layer ECL and the cathode CE located in the lightemitting area PXA may constitute the light emitting element ELD.

That is, the light emitting element ELD may be defined as a portionwhere the anode AE, the hole control layer HCL, the light emitting layerEML, the electron control layer ECL and the cathode CE are all locatedin the light emitting area PXA.

FIG. 16 is a schematic plan view of the touch sensor TSL included in thedisplay device 1 according to the exemplary embodiment. FIG. 17 is anenlarged plan view of a portion Q1 of FIG. 16. FIG. 18 is a schematiccross-sectional view of the touch sensor TSL taken along line X5-X5′ ofFIG. 17. FIG. 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the touch sensorTSL taken along line X7-X7′ of FIG. 17. FIG. 20 is a schematiccross-sectional view of the touch sensor TSL taken along line X9-X9′ ofFIG. 17.

Referring to FIGS. 16 through 20, the touch sensor TSL is located on thesecond substrate 210 as described above. That is, the second substrate210 may function as a base layer of the touch sensor TSL.

Like the first substrate 110, an edge es2 of the second substrate 210may include rounded portions esr2 at corners. In addition, the edge es2of the second substrate 210 may include a notched edge en2 locatedaround the notch portion NT and defining the notch portion NT. In theedge es2 of the second substrate 210, the notched edge en2 may include arounded portion or a curved portion in plan view.

In some exemplary embodiments, like the edge es1 of the first substrate110, the notched edge en2 defining the notch portion NT in the edge es2of the second substrate 210 may have an omega (Ω) shape as shown in FIG.16. However, the shape of the notched edge en2 of the edge es2 of thesecond substrate 210 may be changed according to the shape of thenotched edge en1 (defining the notch portion NT) of the edge es1 of thefirst substrate 110.

In some exemplary embodiments, the notched edge en1 defining the notchportion NT in the edge es1 of the first substrate 110 and the notchededge en2 defining the notch NT in the edge es2 of the second substrate210 may be substantially aligned along the third direction z.

A sensing area SA and a non-sensing area NSA are defined in the touchsensor TSL. The sensing area SA may be an area that senses a touch inputin the touch sensor TSL, and the non-sensing area NSA may be an areathat cannot sense a touch input.

The sensing area SA may correspond to the display area D-DA of thedisplay device 1 shown in FIG. 1 or the display area DA of the displaypanel DP shown in FIG. 8. In addition, the non-sensing area NSA maycorrespond to the peripheral area D-NDA of the display device 1 shown inFIG. 1 or the peripheral area NDA of the display panel DP shown in FIG.8. In some exemplary embodiments, the sensing area SA may besubstantially the same as the display area DA of the display panel DP,and the non-sensing area NSA may be substantially the same as theperipheral area NDA of the display panel DP.

A boundary eb2 between the sensing area SA and the non-sensing area NSAmay include rounded portions eb2 a at corners. In addition, the boundaryeb2 between the sensing area SA and the non-sensing area NSA may furtherinclude a portion eb2 b located around the notch portion NT. Of theboundary eb2 between the sensing area SA and the non-sensing area NSA,the portion eb2 b located around the notch portion NT may extend alongthe notched edge en2 defining the notch portion NT in the edge es2 ofthe second substrate 210.

In some exemplary embodiments, the boundary eb2 between the sensing areaSA and the non-sensing area NSA and the boundary eb1 between the displayarea DA and the peripheral area NDA of the display panel DP may besubstantially aligned in the third direction z.

The touch sensor TSL includes a first electrode portion 310, a secondelectrode portion 330 and a light transmission control pattern portion700 and may further include touch signal lines 901 and 903 and a touchpad unit TPD1 and TPD2.

The first electrode portion 310 and the second electrode portion 330 maybe located in the sensing area SA, and the touch pad unit TPD1 and TPD2,the touch signal lines 901 and 903 and the light transmission controlpattern portion 700 may be located in the non-sensing area NSA.

The sensing area SA will now be described in more detail.

The first electrode portion 310 and the second electrode portion 330insulated from the first electrode portion 310 may be located on thesecond substrate 210.

The first electrode portion 310 may extend along the second direction y.The first electrode portion 310 may be disposed in plural numbers, andthe first electrode portions 310 may be spaced apart from each otheralong the first direction x.

Each of the first electrode portions 310 may include a plurality offirst touch electrodes 311 arranged along the second direction y and aplurality of first connection portions 313, each connecting the firsttouch electrodes 311 neighboring each other along the second directiony. In the following description of embodiments, the term “connection”may encompass “connection” in physical and/or electrical aspects.

In some exemplary embodiments, the first touch electrodes 311 may have arhombic planar shape as shown in FIG. 16. However, the planar shape ofeach of the first touch electrodes 121 can be changed to various shapessuch as a triangle, a quadrilateral, a pentagon, a circle, and a bar.

The first touch electrodes 311 may include a transparent conductivematerial. The first touch electrodes 311 may be made of the secondconductive layer ML2 described above with reference to FIG. 4. Specificexamples of the transparent conductive material are the same as thosedescribed in relation to the second conductive layer ML2, and thus adescription thereof is omitted.

Each of the first connection portions 313 may electrically connect thefirst touch electrodes 311 neighboring each other along the seconddirection y and may contact the first touch electrodes 311. In someexemplary embodiments, the first connection portions 313 may beconfigured as bridge-shaped connection patterns.

In some exemplary embodiments, the first connection portions 313 may belocated on a layer different from a layer on which the first touchelectrodes 311 are located. The first connection portions 313 may bemade of the first conductive layer ML1 described above with reference toFIG. 4. The first connection portions 313 may include an opaqueconductive material, and specific examples of the opaque conductivematerial are the same as those described in relation to the firstconductive layer ML1.

Although one first connection portion 313 is disposed between the firsttouch electrodes 311 neighboring each other along the second direction yin the drawings, the number of the first connection portions 313 can bechanged variously. For example, two or more first connection portions313 may be disposed between the first touch electrodes 311 neighboringeach other along the second direction y, unlike in the drawings.

The insulating layer IL may be located between the first touchelectrodes 311 and the first connection portions 313. The first touchelectrodes 311 may be connected to each of the first connection portions313 through first contact holes CNT1 formed in the insulating layer IL.

The second electrode portion 330 may extend along the first direction xas described above. The second electrode portion 330 may be disposed inplural numbers, and the second electrode portions 330 may be spacedapart from each other along the second direction y.

Each of the second electrode portions 330 may include a plurality ofsecond touch electrodes 331 arranged along the first direction x and aplurality of second connection portions 333, each electricallyconnecting the second touch electrodes 311 neighboring each other alongthe first direction x.

In some exemplary embodiments, the second touch electrodes 331 may belocated on the same layer as the first touch electrodes 311 and may bemade of the second conductive layer ML2 described above with referenceto FIG. 4. For example, the second touch electrodes 331 may be locatedon the insulating layer IL. The second touch electrodes 331 may have arhombic shape. However, the shape of each of the second touch electrodes331 is not limited to the rhombic shape and can be changed to variousshapes such as a triangle, a quadrilateral, a pentagon, a circle, and abar.

The second touch electrodes 331 may include a transparent conductivematerial and, in some exemplary embodiments, may include the samematerial as the first touch electrodes 311.

Each of the second connection portions 333 may electrically connect thesecond touch electrodes 331 neighboring each other along the firstdirection x and may contact the second touch electrodes 331. In someexemplary embodiments, the second connection portions 333 may be locatedon the same layer as the first touch electrodes 311 and the second touchelectrodes 331 and may be made of the second conductive layer ML2described above with reference to FIG. 4. For example, the secondconnection portions 333 may be located on the insulating layer IL, likethe first touch electrodes 311 and the second touch electrodes 331.

In some exemplary embodiments, the second connection portions 333 may beinsulated from the first connection portions 313 or the first touchelectrodes 311 by the insulating layer IL. Although the secondconnection portions 333 overlap the first connection portions 313 in thedrawings, this is merely an example. In an exemplary embodiment, thesecond connection portions 333 may overlap the first touch electrodes311, not the first connection portions 313.

Since the second connection portions 333 are made of the secondconductive layer ML2, they may be made of the same material as the firsttouch electrodes 311 and the second touch electrodes 331.

In some exemplary embodiments, each of the first electrode portions 310may be a driving electrode portion which receives a driving signal fordetecting a touch position, and each of the second electrode portions330 may be a sensing electrode portion which outputs a sensing signal inresponse to the driving signal.

The non-sensing area NSA will now be described.

The touch signal lines 901 and 903, the touch pad unit TPD1 and TP2 andthe light transmission control pattern portion 700 may be located on thenon-sensing area NSA of the second substrate 210.

In some exemplary embodiments, the touch pad unit TPD1 and TPD2 mayinclude a first pad unit TPD1 and a second pad unit TPD2 spaced apartfrom each other along the first direction x.

The touch signal lines 901 and 903 may include first touch signal lines901 electrically connected to the first electrode portions 310,respectively, and second touch signal lines 903 electrically connectedto the second electrode portions 330, respectively.

In some exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIG. 16, an end of each ofthe first touch signal lines 901 may be connected to an end of one ofthe first electrode portions 310, and the other end of each of the firsttouch signal lines 901 may be connected to the first pad unit TPD1.

In some exemplary embodiments, an end of each of the first electrodeportions 310 may pass through the insulating layer IL and be connectedto one of the first touch signal lines 901.

An end of each of the second touch signal lines 903 may be electricallyconnected to one of the second electrode portions 330, and the other endof each of the second touch signal lines 903 may be electricallyconnected to the second pad unit TPD2. In some exemplary embodiments, anend of each of the second electrode portions 330 may be connected to oneof the second touch signal lines 903 through a second contact hole CNT2formed in the insulating layer IL.

In some exemplary embodiments, the first touch signal lines 901 and thesecond touch signal lines 903 may be made of the first conductive layerML1 described above with reference to FIG. 4.

The light transmission control pattern portion 700 may be located on thesecond substrate 210 and in the non-sensing area NSA.

In some exemplary embodiments, the light transmission control patternportion 700 may extend along the boundary eb2 between the sensing areaSA and the non-sensing area NSA and may surround at least a part of thesensing area SA.

The light transmission control pattern portion 700 may include an opaqueconductive material. In some exemplary embodiments, the lighttransmission control pattern portion 700 may be made of the firstconductive layer ML1 described above with reference to FIG. 4. Forexample, the light transmission control pattern portion 700 may belocated on the same layer as the first touch signal lines 901 and thesecond touch signal lines 903 and may be made of the same material asthe first touch signal lines 901 and the second touch signal lines 903.

Since the light transmission control pattern portion 700, the firsttouch signal lines 901 and the second touch signal lines 903 are locatedon the same layer, the light transmission control pattern portion 700may be spaced apart from the first touch signal lines 901 and the secondtouch signal lines 903.

In some exemplary embodiments, the light transmission control patternportion 700 may include a portion located between the first touch signallines 901 and the sensing area SA and a portion located between thesecond touch signal lines 903 and the sensing area SA. That is, at leasta portion of the light transmission control pattern portion 700 may belocated relatively closer to the sensing area SA than the first touchsignal lines 901 and the second touch signal lines 903.

In some exemplary embodiments, one or more openings 701 may be formed inthe light transmission control pattern portion 700. In the currentexemplary embodiment, two or more openings 701 may be formed as slitsextending along the boundary eb2 between the sensing area SA and thenon-sensing area NSA and may be spaced apart from each other along adirection intersecting the boundary eb2.

The light transmission control pattern portion 700 may cover lightemitting elements located in the peripheral area NDA among lightemitting elements of the display panel DP or may cover light emittingareas located in the peripheral area NDA among light emitting areas ofthe display panel DP. Accordingly, the amount of light emitted fromedges of the display area DA can be reduced. In addition, it is possibleto prevent edges of an image from being viewed in a stepped shape orprevent a sharp color change from being viewed at the edges of theimage.

In some exemplary embodiments, the light transmission control patternportion 700 may have a width of 10 μm to 300 μm in consideration of awidth of the non-sensing area NSA, a space in which the first touchsignal lines 901 and the second touch signal lines 903 are disposed, anda width of overlap with the light emitting elements of the display panelDP.

FIG. 21 is an enlarged plan view of a portion Q3 of FIG. 16, alsoshowing light emitting areas of the display panel DP. FIG. 22 is across-sectional view of the display device 1 according to the exemplaryembodiment, taken along line X11-X11′ of FIG. 21. FIG. 23 is across-sectional view of the display device 1 according to the exemplaryembodiment, taken along line X13-X13′ of FIG. 21. FIG. 24 is across-sectional view of the display device 1 according to the exemplaryembodiment, taken along line X15-X15′ of FIG. 21. FIG. 25 is across-sectional view of the display device 1 according to the exemplaryembodiment, taken along line X17-X17′ of FIG. 21.

Referring to FIGS. 21 through 25, most of the light emitting elements ofthe display panel DP are located in the display area DA, and some of thelight emitting elements may be located in the peripheral area NDA. Forexample, the whole of a light emitting element may be located in theperipheral area NDA, and a portion of another light emitting element maybe located in the peripheral area NDA while the other portion of thelight emitting element is located in the display area DA.

Two light emitting elements located in the display area DA and adjacentto an edge of the display area DA will be referred to as a first lightemitting element ELD1 and a second light emitting element ELD2, and twolight emitting elements located partially or entirely in the peripheralarea NDA and adjacent to the edge of the display area DA will bereferred to as a third light emitting element ELD3 and a fourth lightemitting element ELD4.

Each of the first light emitting element ELD1, the second light emittingelement ELD2, the third light emitting element ELD3 and the fourth lightemitting element ELD4 includes the hole control layer HCL, the electroncontrol layer ECL and the cathode CE. In addition, the first lightemitting element ELD1 further includes a first light emitting layer EML1and a first anode AE1, the second light emitting element ELD2 furtherincludes a second light emitting layer EML2 and a second anode AE2, thethird light emitting element ELD3 further includes a third lightemitting layer EML3 and a third anode AE3, and the fourth light emittingelement ELD4 further includes a fourth light emitting layer EML4 and afourth anode AE4. In some exemplary embodiments, any one of the firstlight emitting layer EML1, the second light emitting layer EML2, thethird light emitting layer EML3 and the fourth light emitting layer EML4may be a red light emitting layer, another one may be a green lightemitting layer, and another one may be a blue light emitting layer. Theremaining one of the first light emitting layer EML1, the second lightemitting layer EML2, the third light emitting layer EML3 and the fourthlight emitting layer EML4 may be any one of a red light emitting layer,a green light emitting layer, and a blue light emitting layer. In anexemplary embodiment, the first light emitting layer EML1 may be a redlight emitting layer, the second light emitting layer EML2 may be agreen light emitting layer, the third light emitting layer EML3 may be ablue light emitting layer, and the fourth light emitting layer EML4 maybe a green light emitting layer. That is, pixels may have an RGBGarrangement.

In some exemplary embodiments, the pixels may have an RGB arrangement.

Since the first light emitting element ELD1 and the second lightemitting element ELD2 are located in the display area DA, they mayoverlap a touch electrode, e.g., a second touch electrode 331 located inthe sensing area SA. Since the first light emitting element ELD1 and thesecond light emitting element ELD2 overlap the second touch electrode331, a first light emitting area PXA1 from which light emitted from thefirst light emitting element ELD1 is output and a second light emittingarea PXA2 from which light emitted from the second light emittingelement ELD2 is output may also inevitably overlap the touch electrode,e.g., the second touch electrode 331.

The first light emitting area PXA1 may be defined by a first openingOPN1 formed in the pixel defining layer PDL, and the second lightemitting area PXA2 may be defined by a second opening OPN2 formed in thepixel defining layer PDL.

The touch electrodes, e.g., the second touch electrodes 331 of the touchsensor TSL may be made of a transparent conductive material as describedabove. Therefore, light emitted from the first light emitting elementELD1 and the second light emitting element ELD2 may be emitted out ofthe display device 1 through the second touch electrode 331.

The whole of the third light emitting element ELD3 may be located in theperipheral area NDA and overlap the light transmission control patternportion 700 located in the non-sensing area NSA. Therefore, the thirdlight emitting area PXA3 from which light emitted from the third lightemitting element ELD3 is output may also inevitably overlap the lighttransmission control pattern portion 700.

The third light emitting area PXA3 may be defined by a third openingOPN4 formed in the pixel defining layer PDL.

Since the light transmission control pattern portion 700 is made of anopaque conductive material, light emitted from the third light emittingelement ELD3 may be blocked by the light transmission control patternportion 700.

The openings 701 may be formed in the light transmission control patternportion 700 as described above. The openings 701 may overlap the thirdlight emitting element ELD3 or the third light emitting area PXA3. Thatis, a portion of light emitted from the third light emitting elementELD3 may be emitted out of the display device 1 through the openings 701without being blocked by the light transmission control pattern portion700.

A light emitting area from which light emitted from a light emittingelement is output may have a polygonal shape such as a quadrilateral oran octagon. Therefore, when an outermost side of the display area DA isrounded, an edge of an image displayed on the display device 1 may beviewed in a stepped shape due to a difference in shape between the lightemitting area and the edge of the display area DA.

The light transmission control pattern portion 700 having the openings701 may block a portion of light emitted from the third light emittingelement ELD3 in the peripheral area NDA. Accordingly, luminance aroundthe rounded boundary eb1 a between the display area DA and theperipheral area NDA may be reduced, thereby preventing an edge of animage displayed on the display device 1 from being clearly viewed in astepped shape.

In some exemplary embodiments, the proportion of a portion covered bythe light transmission control pattern portion 700 in the third lightemitting area PXA3 may be 10% to 90%. In other words, the proportion oflight passing through the openings 701 in light emitted from the thirdlight emitting area PXA3 may be 10% to 90%.

A portion of the fourth light emitting element ELD4 may be located inthe peripheral area NDA, and the other portion of the fourth lightemitting element ELD4 may be located in the display area DA. That is,the fourth light emitting element ELD4 may overlap the rounded boundaryeb1 a between the display area DA and the peripheral area NDA and mayalso overlap the rounded boundary eb2 a between the sensing area SA andthe non-sensing area NSA.

A portion of the fourth light emitting element ELD4 which is located inthe display area DA may overlap the second touch electrode 331, and aportion of the fourth light emitting element ELD4 which is located inthe peripheral area NDA may overlap the light transmission controlpattern portion 700. Therefore, a portion of the fourth light emittingarea PXA4 from which light emitted from the fourth light emittingelement ELD4 is output may also inevitably overlap the lighttransmission control pattern portion 700, and the other portion mayoverlap the second touch electrode 331.

The fourth light emitting area PXA4 may be defined by a fourth openingOPN4 formed in the pixel defining layer PDL.

A portion of the fourth light emitting element ELD4 which is located inthe peripheral area NDA may further overlap the openings 701 formed inthe light transmission control pattern portion 700. That is, lightemitted from the fourth light emitting element ELD4 or light output fromthe fourth light emitting area PXA4 may be provided to the outside ofthe display device 1 in the display area DA and may be provided to theoutside of the display device 1 through the openings 701 in theperipheral area NDA.

FIGS. 26 through 32 are plan views of modified examples of FIG. 21, morespecifically, modified examples of the light transmission controlpattern portion 700.

Referring to FIG. 26, the current exemplary embodiment is substantiallythe same as the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 21 except that openings 701a formed in a light transmission control pattern portion 700 a do notextend along a rounded boundary eb2 a between a sensing area SA and anon-sensing area NSA and extend in a direction intersecting a directionin which the rounded boundary eb2 a extends.

Referring to FIG. 27, the current exemplary embodiment is substantiallythe same as the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 26 except that openings 701b formed in a light transmission control pattern portion 700 b areisland-shaped polygonal patterns and are spaced apart from each otheralong a direction in which a rounded boundary eb2 a extends and adirection intersecting the direction in which the rounded boundary eb2 aextends. Although the openings 701 b are quadrilateral in FIG. 27, thisis merely an example. The planar shape of each of the openings 701 b canalso be changed to other polygonal shapes such as a triangle, apentagon, a hexagon, and an octagon.

Referring to FIG. 28, the current exemplary embodiment is substantiallythe same as the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 27 except that openings 701c formed in a light transmission control pattern portion 700 c have acircular planar shape. The planar shape of each of the openings 701 ccan also be changed to an elliptical shape, a semicircular shape, asemielliptical shape, etc. in addition to the structure shown in FIG.27.

Referring to FIG. 29, the current exemplary embodiment is different fromthe exemplary embodiment of FIG. 21 in that a light transmission controlpattern portion 700 d includes protrusions 710 protruding from parts ofthe light transmission control pattern portion 700 d and overlappinglight emitting areas and that openings 701 d are formed in each of theprotrusions 710 and is similar to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 21 inthat the openings 701 d extend along a rounded boundary eb2 a. Otherelements may be substantially the same or similar to those of theexemplary embodiment of FIG. 21.

Referring to FIG. 30, the current exemplary embodiment is substantiallythe same or similar to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 29 except thatopenings 701 e formed in each protrusion 710 of a light transmissioncontrol pattern portion 700 e extend in a direction intersecting adirection in which a rounded boundary eb2 a extends.

Referring to FIG. 31, the current exemplary embodiment is substantiallythe same or similar to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 30 except thatopenings 701 f formed in each protrusion 710 of a light transmissioncontrol pattern portion 700 f are island-shaped polygonal patterns andare spaced apart from each other along a direction in which a roundedboundary eb2 a extends and a direction intersecting the direction inwhich the rounded boundary eb2 a extends. Other details of the openings701 f are substantially the same as the openings 701 b (see FIG. 27) ofthe exemplary embodiment of FIG. 27, and thus a description thereof isomitted.

Referring to FIG. 32, the current exemplary embodiment is substantiallythe same or similar to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 31 except thatopenings 701 g formed in each protrusion 710 of a light transmissioncontrol pattern portion 700 g are island-shaped circular patterns. Otherdetails of the openings 701 g are substantially the same as those of theopenings 701 c of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 28, and thus adescription thereof is omitted.

FIG. 33 is an enlarged plan view of a portion Q5 of FIG. 16. FIG. 34 isan enlarged plan view of a portion Q7 of FIG. 33, also showing a lightemitting area of the display panel DP. FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional viewof the display device 1 according to the exemplary embodiment, takenalong line X19-X19′ of FIG. 34.

Referring to FIGS. 33 through 35, two second touch electrodes 331 spacedapart from each other along the first direction x with the notch portionNT interposed between them may be connected to each other by a secondconnection portion 333 bypassing the notch portion NT. In some exemplaryembodiments, the second connection portion 333 around the notch portionNT may be located in the non-sensing area NSA.

The light transmission control pattern portion 700 may also be locatedin the non-sensing area NSA around the notch portion NT. The lighttransmission control pattern portion 700 around the notch portion NT mayextend along the boundary eb2 b between the sensing area SA and thenon-sensing area NSA located around the notch portion NT, and a part ofthe light transmission control pattern portion 700 may overlap thesecond connection portion 333.

Some of the light emitting elements of the display panel DP may belocated in the peripheral area NDA around the notch portion NT.

For example, the whole of a light emitting element may be located in theperipheral area NDA, and a portion of another light emitting element maybe located in the peripheral area NDA while the other portion of thelight emitting element is located in the display area DA.

If a light emitting element located in the peripheral area NDA andbetween the notch portion NT and the display area DA is referred to as afifth light emitting element ELD5, the fifth light emitting element ELD5may overlap the light transmission control pattern portion 700.Therefore, a fifth light emitting area PXA5 from which light emittedfrom the fifth light emitting element ELD5 is output may also inevitablyoverlap the light transmission control pattern portion 700.

The fifth light emitting element ELD5 includes a fifth anode AE5, afifth light emitting layer EML5, the hole control layer HCL, theelectron control layer ECL and the cathode CE.

The fifth light emitting area PXA5 may be defined by a fifth openingOPN5 formed in the pixel defining layer PDL.

In some exemplary embodiments, the fifth light emitting element ELD5 orthe fifth light emitting area PXA5 may overlap the boundary eb2 bbetween the sensing area SA and the non-sensing area NSA located aroundthe notch portion NT or the boundary eb1 b between the display area DAand the peripheral area NDA located around the notch portion NT.

The fifth light emitting element ELD5 or the fifth light emitting areaPXA5 may further overlap the openings 701 of the light transmissioncontrol pattern portion 700, thereby preventing an edge of an imagedisplayed around the notch portion NT from being viewed in a steppedshape.

Although not shown in the drawings, the shape of the light transmissioncontrol pattern portion 700 around the notch portion NT in FIG. 34 canbe changed to the structures shown in FIGS. 26 through 32 describedabove.

FIG. 36 is a schematic plan view of a display device 2 according to anexemplary embodiment. FIG. 37 is a schematic cross-sectional view of thedisplay device 2 according to the exemplary embodiment, taken along lineY1-Y1′ of FIG. 36. FIG. 38 is a schematic cross-sectional view of thedisplay device 2 according to the exemplary embodiment, taken along lineY3-Y3′ of FIG. 36.

Referring to FIGS. 36 through 38, the display device 2 according to thecurrent exemplary embodiment is substantially the same or similar to theexemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 through 4 except that it does notinclude a notch portion and includes a through hole TH. Therefore,differences will be mainly described below.

The through hole TH may pass through the display device 2 along thethird direction z, and an electronic element EMD may be disposed in thethrough hole TH.

In some exemplary embodiments, the planar shape of the through hole THmay be a circular shape as shown in the drawings. However, the planarshape of the through hole TH can be changed to various shapes such as apolygonal shape, a combination of a straight line and a curve, and anelliptical shape.

As for the planar structure of the display device 2, the display device2 includes a display area D-DA1 where an image is displayed and aperipheral area D-NDA1 adjacent to an outer side of the display areaD-DA1. In addition, the display device 2 further includes a holeperipheral area D-NDA2 surrounding the through hole TH.

The peripheral area D-NDA1 may surround the display area D-DA1, and thedisplay area D-DA1 may surround the hole peripheral area D-NDA2.

As for the stacked structure of the display device 2, the display device2 may include a display panel DP1 and a touch sensor TSL1 located on thedisplay panel DP1.

In the stacked structure, the display panel DP1 includes a firstsubstrate 110, a second substrate 210 located on the first substrate110, and an element layer DSL located between the first substrate 110and the second substrate 210. In addition, the display panel DP1 mayfurther include a sealant S which is located between the first substrate110 and the second substrate 210 in the peripheral area D-NDA1 and ahole sealant St which is located between the first substrate 110 and thesecond substrate 210 in the hole peripheral area D-NDA2 and completelysurrounds the through hole TH.

The touch sensor TSL1 may be located on the display panel DP1, and thethrough hole TH may completely penetrate the display panel DP1 and thetouch sensor TSL1 in the third direction z.

FIG. 39 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a display device 2-1according to a modified example of the embodiment of FIG. 36, takenalong line Y1-Y1′ of FIG. 36. FIG. 40 is a schematic cross-sectionalview of the display device 2-1 according to the modified example of theembodiment of FIG. 36, taken along line Y3-Y3′ of FIG. 36.

Referring to FIGS. 39 and 40, the display device 2-1 according to themodified example may include a display panel DP1 a and a touch sensorTSL1. The display panel DP1 a may include a first substrate 110, anelement layer DSL located on the first substrate 110, and an upperinsulating layer TFL located on the element layer DSL.

In some exemplary embodiments, side surfaces of the element layer DSLaround a through hole TH may be covered by the upper insulating layerTFL. Accordingly, impurities such as moisture and oxygen can beprevented from penetrating into the element layer DSL around the throughhole TH.

The first substrate 110, the element layer DSL, the upper insulatinglayer TFL and the touch sensor TSL1 are substantially the same orsimilar to those of FIGS. 1 through 4, and thus a description thereof isomitted.

A case where a display device has the structure of FIGS. 36 through 38,for example, the display device 2 includes the second substrate 210 willnow be described as an example.

FIG. 41 is a schematic plan view of the display panel DP1 included inthe display device 2 according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 36.

Referring to FIG. 41, a display area DA1, a peripheral area NDA1 and ahole peripheral area NDA2 corresponding to the display area D-DA1, theperipheral area D-NDA1 and the hole peripheral area D-NDA2 of thedisplay device 2 shown in FIG. 36 may be defined in the display panelDP1 or the first substrate 110.

An edge es1 of the first substrate 110 may include rounded portions esr1at corners. In addition, the first substrate 110 may further include ahole edge et1 formed around the through hole TH to define the throughhole TH.

A boundary eb1 between the display area DA1 and the peripheral area NDA1of the display panel DP1 may include rounded portions eb1 a at corners.In addition, a boundary eb1 c between the display area DA1 and the holeperipheral area NDA2 of the display panel DP1 may include roundedportions, and its overall shape may be substantially the same (e.g., acircular shape) as the planar shape of the through hole TH.

A plurality of signal lines SGL and a plurality of pixels PX may belocated on the first substrate 110 in the display area DA1. Signal padsDPD may be located on the first substrate 110 in the peripheral areaNDA1. Most of the pixels PX may be located in the display area DA1. Someof the pixels PX may be located in the peripheral area NDA1, and someother ones of the pixels PX may be located in the hole peripheral areaNDA2. The sealant S completely surrounding the display area DA1 may belocated on the first substrate 110 in the peripheral area NDA1, and thehole sealant St completely surrounding the through hole TH may belocated on the first substrate 110 in the hole peripheral area NDA2.

The signal lines SGL, the pixels PX, and the signal pads DPD may beincluded in the element layer DSL.

Other elements are substantially the same or similar to those describedabove with reference to FIGS. 8 through 15, and thus a descriptionthereof is omitted.

FIG. 42 is a schematic plan view of the touch sensor TSL1 included inthe display device 2 according to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 36.FIG. 43 is an enlarged plan view of a portion R1 of FIG. 42. FIG. 44 isa cross-sectional view of the touch sensor TSL1 taken along line Y5-Y5′of FIG. 43. FIG. 45 is a cross-sectional view of the touch sensor TSL1taken along line Y7-Y7′ of FIG. 43.

Referring to FIGS. 42 through 45, the touch sensor TSL1 is located onthe second substrate 210. That is, the second substrate 210 may functionas a base layer of the touch sensor TSL1.

Like the first substrate 110, an edge es2 of the second substrate 210may include rounded portions esr2 at corners. In addition, the secondsubstrate 210 may further include a hole edge et2 located around thethrough hole TH to define the through hole TH.

The edge es2 of the second substrate 210 and the edge es1 of the firstsubstrate 110 may be substantially aligned along the third direction z,and the hole edge et2 of the second substrate 210 and the hole edge et1of the first substrate 110 may be substantially aligned along the thirddirection z.

A sensing area SA1, a non-sensing area NSA1 and a hole non-sensing areaNSA2 are defined in the touch sensor TSL1. The sensing area SA1 may bean area that senses a touch input in the touch sensor TSL1, and thenon-sensing area NSA1 and the hole non-sensing area NSA2 may be areasthat cannot sense a touch input.

The sensing area SA1 may correspond to the display area D-DA1 of thedisplay device 2 shown in FIG. 36 or the display area DA1 of the displaypanel DP1 shown in FIG. 41. The non-sensing area NSA1 may correspond tothe peripheral area D-NDA1 of the display device 2 shown in FIG. 36 orthe peripheral area NDA1 of the display panel DP1 shown in FIG. 41. Inaddition, the hole non-sensing area NSA2 may correspond to the holeperipheral area D-NDA2 of the display device 2 shown in FIG. 36 or thehole peripheral area NDA2 of the display panel DP1 shown in FIG. 41.

A boundary eb2 between the sensing area SA1 and the non-sensing areaNSA1 may include rounded portions eb2 a at corners. In addition, aboundary eb2 c between the sensing area SA1 and the hole non-sensingarea NSA2 may include rounded portions, and its overall shape may besubstantially the same (e.g., a circular shape) as the planar shape ofthe through hole TH.

In some exemplary embodiments, the boundary eb2 between the sensing areaSA1 and the non-sensing area NSA1 and the boundary eb1 between thedisplay area DA1 and the peripheral area NDA1 of the display panel DP1may be substantially aligned along the third direction z. In addition,the boundary eb2 c between the sensing area SA1 and the hole non-sensingarea NSA2 may be substantially aligned with the boundary eb1 c betweenthe display area DA1 and the hole peripheral area NDA2 of the displaypanel DP1 along the third direction z.

The touch sensor TSL1 may include first electrode portions 310, secondelectrode portions 330, a light transmission control pattern portion700, and a hole light transmission control pattern portion 800 locatedaround the through hole TH. In addition, the touch sensor TSL1 mayfurther include touch signal lines 901 and 903 and a touch pad unit TPD1and TPD2.

The first electrode portions 310 and the second electrode portions 330may be located in the sensing area SA1, and the touch pad unit TPD1 andTPD2, the touch signal lines 901 and 903 and the light transmissioncontrol pattern portion 700 may be located in the non-sensing area NSA1.In addition, the hole light transmission control pattern portion 800 maybe located in the hole non-sensing area NSA2.

The first electrode portions 310 and the second electrode portions 330in the sensing area SA1 are substantially the same or similar to thosedescribed above with reference to FIGS. 16 through 32. In addition, thetouch signal lines 901 and 903, the touch pad unit TPD1 and TPD2 and thelight transmission control pattern portion 700 in the non-sensing areaNSA1 are substantially the same or similar to those described above withreference to FIGS. 16 through 32. Therefore, a redundant description isomitted.

A first connection portion 313 and a second connection portion 333around the through hole TH may be located in the hole non-sensing areaNSA2.

Two second touch electrodes 331 spaced apart from each other along thefirst direction x with the through hole TH interposed between them inthe hole non-sensing area NSA2 may be connected to each other by thesecond connection portion 333 bypassing the through hole TH. Inaddition, two first touch electrodes 311 spaced apart from each otheralong the second direction y with the through hole TH interposed betweenthem in the hole non-sensing area NSA2 may be connected to each other bythe first connection portion 313 bypassing the through hole TH.

Since the first connection portion 313 and the first touch electrodes311 are located on different layers, the first touch electrodes 311 maybe connected to the first connection portion 313 through contact holesCNTH formed in an insulating layer IL.

The hole light transmission control pattern portion 800 may be locatedon the second substrate 210 and in the hole non-sensing area NSA2.

In some exemplary embodiments, the hole light transmission controlpattern portion 800 may extend along the boundary eb2 c between thesensing area SA1 and the hole non-sensing area NSA2 and surround atleast a portion of the through hole TH in plan view.

The hole light transmission control pattern portion 800 may include anopaque conductive material. In some exemplary embodiments, the holelight transmission control pattern portion 800 may be made of the firstconductive layer ML1 described above with reference to FIG. 4. Forexample, the hole light transmission control pattern portion 800 may belocated on the same layer as the first connection portions 313 and thelight transmission control pattern portion 700 and may be made of thesame material as the first connection portion 313 and the lighttransmission control pattern portion 700.

Since the hole light transmission control pattern portion 800 is locatedon the same layer as the first connection portion 313, the hole lighttransmission control pattern portion 800 and the first connectionportion 313 may be spaced apart from each other.

When seen in plan view, the hole light transmission control patternportion 800 may be located relatively further from the through hole THthan the first connection portion 313 and the second connection portion333. In other words, the first connection portion 313 and the secondconnection portion 333 may be located relatively closer to the throughhole TH than the hole light transmission control pattern portion 800.

FIG. 46 is an enlarged plan view of a portion R3 of FIG. 43, alsoshowing a light emitting area of the display panel DP1. FIG. 47 is across-sectional view of the display device 2 according to the exemplaryembodiment of FIG. 36, taken along line Y9-Y9′ of FIG. 46.

Referring to FIGS. 46 and 47, openings 801 may be formed in the holelight transmission control pattern portion 800, like the lighttransmission control pattern portion 700 described above. The openings801 may be formed as slits extending along the boundary eb2 c betweenthe sensing area SA1 and the hole non-sensing area NSA2.

If a light emitting element at least partially located in the holenon-sensing area NSA2 among light emitting elements of the display panelDP1 is referred to as a sixth light emitting element ELD6, the holelight transmission control pattern portion 800 may overlap the sixthlight emitting element ELD6. That is, the hole light transmissioncontrol pattern portion 800 may overlap a sixth light emitting area PXA6from which light emitted from the sixth light emitting element ELD6 isoutput.

The sixth light emitting element ELD6 includes a sixth anode AE6, asixth light emitting layer EML6, a hole control layer HCL, an electroncontrol layer ECL, and a cathode CE.

The sixth light emitting area PXA6 may be defined by a sixth openingOPN6 formed in a pixel defining layer PDL.

The openings 801 may be formed in the hole light transmission controlpattern portion 800 as described above and may overlap the sixth lightemitting element ELD6 or the sixth light emitting area PXA6. That is, aportion of light emitting from the sixth light emitting element ELD6 maybe blocked by the hole light transmission control pattern portion 800,and the other portion of the light emitted from the sixth light emittingelement ELD6 may be emitted output of the display device 2 through theopenings 801. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a portion aroundthe through hole TH in an image displayed on the display device 2 frombeing clearly viewed in a stepped shape.

FIGS. 48 through 54 are plan views of modified examples of FIG. 46, morespecifically, modified examples of the hole light transmission controlpattern portion 800.

Referring to FIG. 48, the current exemplary embodiment is substantiallythe same as the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 46 except that openings 801a formed in a hole light transmission control pattern portion 800 a donot extend along a boundary eb2 c between a sensing area SA1 and a holenon-sensing area NSA2 and extend in a direction intersecting a directionin which the boundary eb2 c extends.

Referring to FIG. 49, the current exemplary embodiment is substantiallythe same as the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 46 except that openings 801b formed in a hole light transmission control pattern portion 800 b areisland-shaped polygonal patterns and are spaced apart from each otheralong a direction in which a boundary eb2 c extends and in a directionintersecting the direction in which the boundary eb2 c extends. Althoughthe openings 801 b are quadrilateral in FIG. 49, this is merely anexample. The planar shape of each of the openings 801 b can also bechanged to other polygonal shapes such as a triangle, a pentagon, ahexagon, and an octagon.

Referring to FIG. 50, the current exemplary embodiment is substantiallythe same as the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 49 except that openings 801c formed in a hole light transmission control pattern portion 800 c havea circular planar shape. The planar shape of each of the openings 801 ccan also be changed to an elliptical shape, a semicircular shape, asemielliptical shape, etc. in addition to the structure shown in FIG.49.

Referring to FIG. 51, the current exemplary embodiment is different fromthe exemplary embodiment of FIG. 46 in that a hole light transmissioncontrol pattern portion 800 d includes protrusions 810 protruding fromparts of the hole light transmission control pattern portion 800 d andoverlapping light emitting areas and that openings 801 d are formed ineach of the protrusions 810 and is similar to the exemplary embodimentof FIG. 46 in that the openings 801 d extend along a rounded boundaryeb2 c. Referring to FIG. 52, the current exemplary embodiment issubstantially the same or similar to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 51except that openings 801 e formed in each protrusion 810 of a hole lighttransmission control pattern portion 800 e extend in a directionintersecting a direction in which a boundary eb2 c extends.

Referring to FIG. 53, the current exemplary embodiment is substantiallythe same or similar to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 52 except thatopenings 801 f formed in each protrusion 810 of a hole lighttransmission control pattern portion 800 f are island-shaped polygonalpatterns and are spaced apart from each other along a direction in whicha boundary eb2 c extends and a direction intersecting the direction inwhich the boundary eb2 c extends. Other details of the openings 801 fare substantially the same as the openings 801 b (see FIG. 49) of theexemplary embodiment of FIG. 49, and thus a description thereof isomitted.

Referring to FIG. 54, the current exemplary embodiment is substantiallythe same or similar to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 53 except thatopenings 801 g formed in each protrusion 810 of a hole lighttransmission control pattern portion 800 g are island-shaped circularpatterns. Other details of the openings 801 g are substantially the sameas those of the openings 801 c (see FIG. 50) of the exemplary embodimentof FIG. 50, and thus a description thereof is omitted.

The display devices according to the above-described exemplaryembodiments can display an image even around a portion where anelectronic element is disposed. Therefore, an area where an image can bedisplayed can be increased. In addition, the display devices accordingto the above-described exemplary embodiments can prevent edges of animage from being viewed in a stepped shape in rounded portions of edgesof a display area. That is, it is possible to improve display qualitywhile increasing the display area.

According to exemplary embodiments, it is possible to provide a displaydevice having an increased proportion of a display area and improveddisplay quality.

In addition, according to exemplary embodiments, it is possible toprovide a touch sensor capable of increasing the proportion of a displayarea and improving the display quality of a display device.

Although certain exemplary embodiments and implementations have beendescribed herein, other embodiments and modifications will be apparentfrom this description. Accordingly, the inventive concepts are notlimited to such embodiments, but rather to the broader scope of theappended claims and various obvious modifications and equivalentarrangements as would be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in theart.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display device comprising: a first substrate inwhich a display area and a peripheral area around the display area aredefined; an element layer which is located on the first substrate andcomprises a first light emitting element located in the display area anda second light emitting element at least partially located in theperipheral area; and a touch sensor which is located on the elementlayer, wherein the touch sensor comprises: a touch electrode portionwhich is located in the display area and overlaps the first lightemitting element; a touch signal line which is located in the peripheralarea and is connected to the touch electrode portion; and a lighttransmission control pattern portion which is located in the peripheralarea, overlaps the second light emitting element, and extends along aboundary between the display area and the peripheral area.
 2. Thedisplay device of claim 1, wherein the boundary between the display areaand the peripheral area comprises a rounded portion, and the secondlight emitting element overlaps the rounded portion of the boundarybetween the display area and the peripheral area.
 3. The display deviceof claim 1, wherein the light transmission control pattern portion andthe touch signal line are located on the same layer and made of the samematerial.
 4. The display device of claim 3, wherein the lighttransmission control pattern portion comprises a portion located betweenthe touch signal line and the touch electrode portion.
 5. The displaydevice of claim 1, wherein the light transmission control patternportion comprises an opaque conductive material, and at least oneopening is formed in the light transmission control pattern portion,wherein the opening overlaps the second light emitting element.
 6. Thedisplay device of claim 5, wherein the opening is formed in a stripeshape extending in a direction.
 7. The display device of claim 5,wherein the opening is formed in plural numbers in an island shape, andthe openings are spaced apart from each other.
 8. The display device ofclaim 1, wherein the touch electrode portion comprises first touchelectrodes which are arranged along a first direction and electricallyconnected to each other along the first direction and second touchelectrodes which are arranged along a second direction intersecting thefirst direction and electrically connected to each other along thesecond direction, wherein the first touch electrodes and the secondtouch electrodes are located on the same layer, and the lighttransmission control pattern portion is located on a different layerfrom the first touch electrodes and the second touch electrodes.
 9. Thedisplay device of claim 8, further comprising an insulating layer whichis located on the light transmission control pattern portion, whereinthe first touch electrodes and the second touch electrodes are locatedon the insulating layer.
 10. The display device of claim 8, furthercomprising a first connection portion which connects two first touchelectrodes neighboring each other along the first direction and a secondconnection portion which connects two second touch electrodesneighboring each other along the second direction, wherein any one ofthe first connection portion and the second connection portion islocated on the same layer as the first touch electrodes and the secondtouch electrodes, and the other one of the first connection portion andthe second connection portion is located on the same layer as the lighttransmission control pattern portion.
 11. The display device of claim 1,further comprising: a second substrate which is located on the elementlayer; and a sealant which is located between the first substrate andthe second substrate, is located in the peripheral area, and bonds thefirst substrate and the second substrate together, wherein the touchsensor is located on the second substrate.
 12. The display device ofclaim 1, further comprising a thin-film encapsulation layer which islocated on the element layer, wherein the touch sensor is located on thethin-film encapsulation layer.
 13. The display device of claim 1,wherein the first substrate further comprises a notched edge whichdefines a notch portion, and the element layer further comprises a thirdlight emitting element which is located in the peripheral area andbetween the notch portion and the display area, wherein the third lightemitting element overlaps the light transmission control patternportion.
 14. The display device of claim 13, wherein the notched edge ofthe first substrate comprises a rounded portion.
 15. The display deviceof claim 14, wherein the notched edge of the first substrate comprises aportion having a shape selected from the group consisting of an omega(S2) shape, a U shape, a V shape, a semicircular shape, and asemielliptical shape.
 16. A display device comprising: a first substratewhich comprises a through hole and in which a hole peripheral areaaround the through hole, a display area surrounding the hole peripheralarea and a peripheral area around the display area are defined; anelement layer which is located on the first substrate and comprises alight emitting element located in the hole peripheral area; and a touchsensor which is located on the element layer, wherein the touch sensorcomprises a touch electrode portion and a hole light transmissioncontrol pattern portion which is spaced apart from the touch electrodeportion, is located in the hole peripheral area and overlaps the lightemitting element.
 17. The display device of claim 16, wherein the touchelectrode portion comprises two first touch electrodes which are spacedapart from each other along a first direction with the through holeinterposed between the two first touch electrodes, two second touchelectrodes which are spaced apart from each other along a seconddirection intersecting the first direction with the through holeinterposed between the two second touch electrodes, a first connectionportion which connects the two first touch electrodes, and a secondconnection portion which connects the two second touch electrodes,wherein the first touch electrodes and the second touch electrodes arelocated on the same layer, and the hole light transmission controlpattern portion is located on a different layer from the first touchelectrodes and the second touch electrodes.
 18. The display device ofclaim 17, wherein the first connection portion and the second connectionportion are located in the hole peripheral area.
 19. The display deviceof claim 17, wherein the first connection portion and the hole lighttransmission control pattern portion are located on the same layer, andthe second connection portion is located on the same layer as the firsttouch electrodes and the second touch electrodes.
 20. The display deviceof claim 16, wherein the hole light transmission control pattern portioncomprises an opaque conductive material, and at least one opening isformed in the hole light transmission control pattern portion, whereinthe opening overlaps the light emitting element.
 21. The display deviceof claim 16, further comprising: a second substrate which is located onthe element layer; a sealant which is located between the firstsubstrate and the second substrate, is located in the peripheral area,and bonds the first substrate and the second substrate together; and ahole sealant which is located between the first substrate and the secondsubstrate, is located in the hole peripheral area, and bonds the firstsubstrate and the second substrate together, wherein the touch sensor islocated on the second substrate.
 22. A touch sensor in which a sensingarea and a non-sensing area are defined, the touch sensor comprising: atouch electrode portion which is located in the sensing area; a touchsignal line which is located in the non-sensing area and connected tothe touch electrode portion; and a light transmission control patternportion which is located in the non-sensing area, extends along arounded boundary between the sensing area and the non-sensing area, andis spaced apart from the touch signal line, wherein an opening is formedin the light transmission control pattern portion.
 23. The touch sensorof claim 22, wherein the touch electrode portion comprises a pluralityof touch electrodes, the light transmission control pattern portion islocated on the same layer as the touch signal line, and the lighttransmission control pattern portion is located on a different layerfrom the touch electrodes.
 24. The touch sensor of claim 22, wherein ahole non-sensing area surrounding a through hole passing through thetouch sensor is further defined in the touch sensor, the sensing areacompletely surrounds the hole non-sensing area, and further comprising ahole light transmission control pattern portion which is located in thehole non-sensing area and extends along a rounded boundary between thesensing area and the hole non-sensing area.
 25. The touch sensor ofclaim 24, wherein the touch electrode portion comprises two first touchelectrodes which are spaced apart from each other along a firstdirection with the through hole interposed between the two first touchelectrodes, two second touch electrodes which are spaced apart from eachother along a second direction intersecting the first direction with thethrough hole interposed between the two second touch electrodes, a firstconnection portion which connects the two first touch electrodes, and asecond connection portion which connects the two second touchelectrodes, wherein the first connection portion and the secondconnection portion are located in the hole non-sensing area and locatedrelatively closer to the through hole than the hole light transmissioncontrol pattern portion.
 26. The touch sensor of claim 25, wherein thelight transmission control pattern portion and the hole lighttransmission control pattern portion are located on a different layerfrom the first touch electrodes and the second touch electrodes, any oneof the first connection portion and the second connection portion islocated on the same layer as the first touch electrodes and the secondtouch electrodes, and the other one of the first connection portion andthe second connection portion is located on the same layer as the lighttransmission control pattern portion and the hole light transmissioncontrol pattern portion.